How to Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries

December 08, 2015
By
Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP

Share

One of the worst injuries that a person can sustain is a spinal cord injury.
Depending on the location and severity of these injuries, spinal cord
damage can cause varying levels of paralysis and loss of bodily function.
While the unexpected can always happen, there are several precautions
you can take to reduce your risk of suffering a spinal cord injury.

Drive Defensively

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, with
more than 35% of all new annual spinal cord injuries resulting from a
vehicle collision of some kind. For this reason, it is imperative that
you remain aware of your surroundings when driving and anticipate hazards
before they occur.

The following tips can all help you avoid an accident:

Check your blind spots

Do not exceed the speed limit

Do not tailgate

Possibly the most important step is to
always wear a seatbelt when driving or riding in a vehicle. If you have young children, make
sure they are secured in a weight-appropriate safety seat.

Watch Your Step

Slip and fall accidents are the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries,
accounting for just over 25% of all yearly spinal cord damaging incidents.
This risk is especially prevalent in seniors age 65 and over. If you are
reaching for a high object, use a step stool. Grab onto handrails when
walking up and down stairs. Slips can easily happen in the shower, so
be sure to install a nonslip mat in your shower.

Wear Protective Gear

Sports injuries are another leading cause of spinal cord damage. Contact
sports such as football and hockey can cause spinal cord damage if you
do not wear the appropriate padding. Always wear a helmet and avoid leading
with your head when attempting to make a tackle or check. If you are attempting
a dangerous gymnastic stunt, make sure you have a spotter and exercise
extreme caution.

Check Water Depth Before Diving

Diving into shallow water can cause a person to strike their head on the
bottom, fracturing vertebrae in the neck and damaging the spine. If you
are a swimmer, do not dive into shallow water or into water that you do
not know the depth to. It is recommended that swimmers only dive into
water that is at least 9 feet deep.

Injured? Contact Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to another party’s
negligence, the San Jose personal injury lawyers at Caputo & Van Der
Walde LLP are prepared to represent your interests in court and help you
pursue a fair settlement for your suffering. With 100+ years of collective
experience and millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our clients,
our attorneys have the skills and passion necessary to maximize your chances
of securing a desirable outcome for your case.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.